This hill that looms over commuters on the 405 and residents of newly developed apartment buildings has a tragic story to tell that most people have no clue about. Back in 1857, a group of outlaws terrorized residents around San Capistrano, committing robbery and murder. Since Orange County was not established yet, this area fell under the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff, James Barton formed a posse of 5 men to capture the outlaws known as the Juan Flores Gang. Unfortunately, the gang caught Bartons posse by surprise and only one of the deputies survived to report back what had happened. This hill/mound was named Barton Mound in honor of the sheriff who lost his life attempting to capture these outlaws. The authorities who lost their life here are Sheriff James Barton, Deputy Charles Daly, Constable William Little, and Constable, Charles Baker. James Barton was the first Los Angeles County Sheriff to die in the line of duty.

After this incident, multiple posses from Los Angeles sought out the gang who was hiding in the area. A cave in Aliso And Wood Canyons Regional Park known as Dripping Cave was where these outlaws had previously been hiding out. Eventually the outlaws were found hiding out on a hill in Harding Canyon which is now known as Flores Peak (California Historical Landmark #225). Three members of the gang were captured but the leader and two of his men escaped. They were capture the next day in what is now Anaheim Hills, on a hill now known as Robber's Roost but had later escaped and fled again They were eventually caught in Simi Valley.